Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-25
MYSTERIOUS DEATH.
Grave Suspicious Of Murder
Most Foul.
Coroner's Inquest To-day Over the
Death OF Robert Bi1lby
Yesterday Forenoon.

Mr. Robert Billby, who lived on Central
avenue near Riverside Park, died yesterday
near IL O'Clock at his residence. He was
near fifty years old and has for a number Of
years lived in the city.
The circumstances relating to his death are
considered very suspicious to say the least.
| On the seventeenth of this month he was
married to Mrs NJ. j. Trebol. At the time
of marriage divorce suit was pending in
which she was plaintiff. Since that time. 1t
was dismissed and she had two husbands.
The first lived on West Central
avenue near Mr.. Billby. The
latter gentleman soon after his marriage
observed that the first husband had got into
the habit of calling on Mrs. Biliby when it
was supposed he.was absent. Sometimes ne
had observed that his wife was absent late at
nights. A few nights ago she was away and
he started on the hunt. Policeman Dobson,
who lives near by, told Mr.. Bllby that
early in the evening he saw Mrs. Billby and
her first husband go out into the park. That
was a good :pointer for Mr.. Billby, and ne
started in that direction. After hunting for
some time he found them in secluded spot.
| He tried to get his wife to return, but she
refused in language used only by characters
of ill-repute. The first husband assisted IN
the row, and Mr.. Billby finally went home
| and his wife came when she chose, which
was some time after.
Beginning with this incident there
was general uproar In
the family, so reported by tie neighbors.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Billby was seen
early about the house looking as well as ever
Soon after breakfast he was taken with VIC
lent pains in the stomach. Near 10 o'clock
Dr. Whitlock was called, and at the first
glance saw the patient was dying. He could
do nothing to save him. He was not ap-
prised of the surroundings and did net sus-
picior poison. 1t was too late for even an
examination.
Policeman Dobson states that yesterday
morning when Mr.. Billby was suffering in
tensely his wife came to the fence near the
house of neighbor and holding up white
handkerchief said, "My conscience is just as
clear as this handkerchief is white.'
No one had accused or intimated that
she had administrated poison to her husband
or at the time had even thought OF such
thing and why she could have uttered such
a sentence is a matter Of much speculation.
Soon after his death CoronerJ. w. Win
gard was notified and q large number OF old
citizens of the city were informed Of the sus
picious death of Mr.. Billby and were no little
| interested All thought the circumstances
quite suspicious enough to call for an investi-
CATION by the coroner. Owing to some mat
tiers relating to the affair it was impossible
to hold an inquest yesterday afternoon but
| jury will be called today and a thorough
examination made. 1t is probable
that the stomach will be re-
moved and some of its contents
analysed The apparatus in the city seems
to be very incompetent for that sort of work
and unsatisfactory work done. Some sug-
gested that a thorough test be made by send
ing it to st. Louis where an experienced
chemist can make careful examination. 1t
is stated that some of the poisons could be
found by doctors in the city while others
could not.
Mr. Billby was worth lear 5000. The
belief is strong among those acquainted with
the circumstances surrounding his death that
his death is due to the fact that he was
worth 5000. 1t is thought that his mar
riage with Mrs. Trebolt was brought about
by her first husband in order to get his money.
1t is believed that she applied
for divorce with this end in view, and
finding out that it probably would not be
granted induced Mr.. Billby to marry her,
claiming that in few days she would be di-
vorced from her first husband. Today viii
witness an effort to gain the facts IN the
case The great interest manifested in his
death yesterday makes it suggestive that no
little effort viii be made to gain the truth.